Ellen Duell Obituary

Name: Memorial service for Ellen Duell
Start: 2024-08-11T17:30:00.000Z
Location: Rockford Chapel

Duell (Newton), Ellen Catharine "Kitty"

Ellen Catharine Newton Duell, age 95, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at Townhouse Centre for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Uniondale, New York. Born March 27, 1929, in Bluefield, West Virginia, Ellen grew up with her parents, Ralph Kenneth Newton and Ellen Catharine James Newton, in Madison, Wisconsin, where she earned a degree in childhood education from the state university. She and her mechanical engineer husband, Seth Joseph Duell, moved to Dayton, Ohio, in 1954. They bore five children, all of whom were once members of the Dayton Ballet Company. Ellen taught primary school for 25 years in the Dayton area, and lived in Yellow Springs 2003-16. She and Seth supported the arts as well as peace, environmental, and justice organizations. She was preceded in death by Seth in 2008, and by three of her children: Joseph Wayne in 1986; Deborah Ruth and Amy Jo in 2010. She is survived by daughter Reine Duell Bethany & Charley Bethany, with whom she lived her last 8 years in Hempstead, New York; son Daniel Duell & Patricia Blair Duell; sister Alice Newton & Daniel Meehan; brother James Witten Newton & Marion Newton; son-in-law Enrique Gonzalez-Medina; by nephews and nieces on both the Newton and Duell sides, as well as 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Friends and family are invited to attend either or both of two services on Sunday, Aug. 11: interment of Ellen's ashes at 9:30 a.m. in Woodland Cemetery (118 Woodland Road, Dayton, Ohio); and a memorial service at 1:30 p.m., in Rockford Chapel (515 President Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio). In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in Ellen's name to the International Peace Museum (10 N. Ludlow St., Dayton, OH 45402), to the American Friends Service Committee, or to Grail in the U.S. (931 O'Bannonville Rd., Loveland, OH 45410).

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Published by Dayton Daily News on Jul. 8, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Ellen Duell

4 Entries

Kandy (Myers) Whitaker

July 19, 2024

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. In loving memory of a wonderful person.

Michaella Rey

July 14, 2024

I met Kitty in a class we took together called Just Living through the Antioch Company. She was kind, passionate and hilarious. I learned so much from her and so grateful to thaf we shared time and space together. I will miss Kitty. My prayers to the family.

John D Gower

July 10, 2024

I met the Duell family when I was 5 years old and lived around the corner from them on Cambridge Avenue. At that young age, my sister (Martha) would take me to their home - I forever have this image etched into my memory and walking into a big room with windows and the Duell's were all in their ballet attire - I was inspired! I have recollections of going over there - and I think someone was playing the violin. I stayed in touch with Ellen and Seth at their Oxford Avenue home over the years. Ellen and Seth stayed active as welcoming Dayton View neighbors and their commitment continued to inspire me. I still live in the same Dayton View neighborhood 67 years later. My mother (recently passed in November of 2023). She still lived in the home that my parents bought in 1962. Mother and I (almost to her last few days) would always drive around the neighborhood and she would always remark about the goodness, kindness ad talent of the Duell family! Of course, Ellen would want people to support the Dayton Peace Museum and we will make a contribution to her and honor the Duell family for their contributions to the Dayton arts community. Condolences to each of you - we are honored to have known such fine Daytonians - may the Great Creator honor each of you with his/her blessings!

Winnie Wheeler House

July 8, 2024

Reine, I extend my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. It is never easy to experience our parent stepping out of time---regardless of their age or ours. I remember your home in Dayton being one that encouraged each individual child to be creative. I thought you had the most-fun-house I had ever seen. May the sweet memories and life lessons gleaned from a special Mom give you great comfort, and encouragement, as her heart and love of all good things is passed onward from your generation to those who follow.

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